FOREIGN FISHERY-TRADE OF THE UNITED STATES. 



539 



XIII.— FISH SOUNDS AND ISINGLASS. 



Imports. — Large quantities of fish sounds are used in the United 

 Stales for clarifying- beers, wines, etc., for the best grades of mucilage, 

 and to a small extent for food purposes; but only during the last thirty 

 years has any use been made of the domestic product. Isinglass is 

 now made from the sounds of many varieties of American fishes, but 

 principally from hake, sturgeon, cod, and squeteague or sea trout. The 

 domestic yield offish sounds amounts to about 200,000 pounds annually, 

 but the market requires over twice this amount, necessitating a large 

 importation each year. This importation ranges from 200,000 pounds 

 to over 425,000 pounds annually. During the ten years ending June 

 30, 1894, the smallest imports were 190,071 pounds in 1894, and the 

 largest 442,229 pounds in 1891. The total imports for consumption 

 during that period amounted to 3,402,709 pounds, an annual average 

 of 340,277 pounds. These figures do not include the imports of fish 

 sounds in the form of glue, of which from 5,000 to 100,000 pounds are 

 received annually. The quantity and value of fish sounds and glue 

 imported for consumption during the twenty-six years ending in 1894 

 are shown in the following table: 



77. Statement of the imports for consumption offish sounds and fish glue into the United 

 States from 1869 to 1894, inclusive. 



a Estimated. 



It appears from the foregoing table that the average value per pound 

 of imported fish bladders, or sounds, has decreased almost constantly. 

 In 1885 it was 36 cents; in 1889 it had decreased to 26 cents, and in 

 1894 it was only 18 cents per pound. 



